Hand-held sanding tool

ABSTRACT

A hand-held sanding tool for sanding various objects is disclosed. The sanding tool includes a machined sanding block aligned with a detachable wedge-shaped part on any of its side surfaces, and a sanding belt wrapped around the machined block and the detachable wedge. The wedge-shaped part includes a rounded-side placed facing outward and a flat surface aligned with the machine sanding block to tighten the sanding belt in place. The sanding belt is used as an abrasive installed on the machined sanding block with finger grips. A high-density foam cushion is glued to another side of the machined block for expansion. The foam cushion expands to maintain tightness. Also, the detachable wedge is a pop-out wedge for easy change of belts. Further, the machined sanding block and the wedge-shaped block include a marking on any one end for indicating an upper end or top that is faced up during work.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sanding tools are designed for sanding various objects. These tools aresmall blocks that can be easily held in hand. These sanding blocks arewrapped with sandpapers around the blocks and held in place forsoftening the impact on the wood and other materials. These blocksconsist of a flat block with an abrasive coating. These blocks are oftenused by construction workers.

There are a variety of sanding tools for sanding various objects on ajob site. These tools are used daily for years to come. Most toolsinclude abrasive sheets or abrasive coating on one side. The use ofmachine grade abrasive for a hand application gives one use 10-15 times.The life of the abrasion is less than the sandpaper used for sanding.Further, the other sanding tool includes a tightening belt on themachined block with springs. However, the use of mechanical parts orsprings is difficult to operate. Moreover, there is always a gap betweenthe flat sanding surface which creates an uneven sanding surface, or adrop-down which makes for a poor plane surface for straight edges.

Henceforth, there is a need for a sanding block with a detachable wedgeto tighten the sanding belt in place. Also, there is a need for asanding tool having a smooth surface for even sanding as well as arounded end for curved surfaces. Further, there is a need for a sandingtool with a pop-out wedge for easy change of belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a hand-held sanding tool (hereinafterreferred as “sanding tool”). The present invention further discloses asanding tool for sanding various objects. The sanding tool is designedfor an experienced craftsman or a weekend hobbyist.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool comprises one or more componentsincluding a machined sanding block aligned with a detachablewedge-shaped part at the top of the machined sanding block and a sandingbelt wrapped around the machined sanding block and the wedge-shapedpart. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part includes a rounded sideplaced facing outward and a flat aligned with the machine sanding blockto tighten the sanding belt in place. In one embodiment, the sandingbelt is used as the abrasive installed on the machined sanding blockwith finger grips and a machined or milled) half-rounded wedge-shapedpart that slides in against the machined sanding block to tighten thesanding belt. In one embodiment, the sanding belt is of any standard3″×21″ sanding belt. In one embodiment, the sanding belt uses asandpaper belt originally made for power sanders.

In one embodiment, the machined block and the wedge-shaped part furtherinclude a “T” marking on any one side for indicating the top. In oneembodiment, the “T's” are used facing up when at work. In oneembodiment, the wedge-shaped part is a pop-out structure for easy changeof belts. In one embodiment, the small wedge-shaped part pops out bypressing the other side of the “T” label.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool is a two-part sanding block thatuses a wedge principle for making the sanding belt stay in place. In oneembodiment, the wedging principle keeps the sanding belt snug for a fullflat sanding surface to work with. In one embodiment, the sanding toolis used for cleaning saw cuts (rough or finished), ease edges, flatplane sanding, contour sanding, reach sanding for hard-to-get spots. Inone embodiment, the sanding tool is used for wood, plastics, plasters,drywall, masonry steel, marine, sculpture, auto bodywork, andglassworks.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool further includes a high-density foamcushion or memory foam glued to any one side of the machined block forexpansion. In one embodiment, the foam cushion expands to maintaintightness. In one embodiment, the foam is high-density foam used tomaintain sanding belt tightness. In one embodiment, the foam cushionallows different minor belt measurements.

In one embodiment, the one or more components of the sanding tool arealigned/positioned inside the sanding belt. At one step, the open sideof the sanding belt is placed upon a flat surface. In one embodiment,the sanding belt can be of any 3×21 sanding belt. At another step, themachined block is inserted into the open side of the sanding belt with“T” facing up. At another step, a small wedge-shaped part is insertedinto the open side of the sanding belt with “T” facing up such that therounded side out facing the end of the sanding belt and the flat sidealigned with the large part of the sanding tool, i.e., “T” to “T”.

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a hand-held sandingtool for sanding objects, comprising: (a) a first sanding member ormachined sanding block and a second sanding member or a wedge-shapedpart aligned to any one of the machined sanding blocks; and (b) asanding belt configured to form a wrap around the machined block and thewedge-shaped part, wherein the wedge-shaped part includes a rounded-sideplaced facing outward and a flat surface aligned to any one side of themachined sanding block, wherein the wedge-shaped part tightens thesanding belt, thereby allowing the sanding belt for sanding of flat aswell as rounded end for curved surfaces. In one embodiment, the sandingtool further comprises a high-density foam cushion or a memory foamglued to another side of the machined sanding block for expansion. Inone embodiment, the foam cushion expands to maintain tightness. In arelated embodiment, the foam cushion allows different minor beltmeasurements.

In another embodiment, the wedge-shaped part is a pop-out wedge thatallows to change the belt easily. In one embodiment, the wedge-shapedpart tightens the sanding belt to be in place to avoid any slippage ormovement of the sanding belt. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped partkeeps the sanding belt snug for full flat sanding surface to work withany surfaces. In another embodiment, the sanding belt is an abrasivematerial wrapped around the machined sanding block and wedge-shapedpart. In one embodiment, the sanding belt is a sandpaper belt made forpower sanders.

In another embodiment, the sanding tool further includes a marking onany one end of the machined block and the wedge-shaped part forindicating an upper end or top end, thereby aligning them inline. In oneembodiment, the machined sanding block has finger grips for easyhandling. In another embodiment, the sanding tool is utilized forcleaning saw cuts, ease edges, flat plane sanding, contour sanding,reach sanding for hard-to-get spots, and others. In another embodiment,the sanding tool is utilized for sanding of wood, plastic, plaster,drywall, masonry, steel, marine, sculpture, auto body work, and glasswork.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and the specificexamples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a sanding tool, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates one or more components of the sandingtool, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the sanding tool,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4-6 exemplarily illustrate the sanding tool with a slightly moveddetachable wedge-shaped part, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 7-10 exemplarily illustrate the aligning or positioning of the oneor more components of the sanding tool, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 11 exemplarily illustrates the sanding tool sanding an object in atypical use case, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be givenwith reference to the figures. It is expected that the present inventionmay be embodied in other specific forms without departing from itsspirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to beconsidered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Thescope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claimsrather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come withinthe meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embracedwithin their scope.

The present invention generally relates to sanding tools and moreparticularly relates to a hand-held sanding tool configured to provide asingle smooth surface for flat sanding as well as rounded end for curvedsurfaces.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction nor to the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or ofbeing carried out in various ways.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , various views of a hand-held sanding tool(hereinafter referred as “sanding tool”) 100, according to an embodimentof the present invention. The sanding tool 100 is used forsanding/polishing various objects. In one embodiment, the sanding tool100 is an intelligent and unique polishing product that has beendesigned to clean or sand various surfaces such as saw cuts quick (roughor finish), ease edges, flat plane sanding, contour sanding, reachsanding for hard-to-get spots. The sanding tool 100 is designed to fitin the hand as well as the tool bucket or the job to work on the shop orout in the field. In one embodiment, at least two sanding tools 100 areused, where one is for rough and another is for finished work.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool 100 comprises one or more componentsincluding a first sanding member or a machined sanding block 104, asecond sanding member or a detachable wedge-shaped part 106 aligned withthe machined sanding block 104, and a sanding belt 102 that wraps aroundthe machined sanding block 104 and the wedge-shaped part 106. In oneembodiment, the detachable wedge-shaped part 106 is used to tighten thesanding belt 102 in place. In one embodiment, the sanding belt 102 is anabrasive material that is installed on the machined sanding block 104.In one embodiment, the machined sanding block 104 has finger grips 110on its front surface for easy handling. The wedge-shaped part 106 is amachined or milled, half-rounded wedge-shaped sanding member that slidesagainst the machined sanding block 104 to tighten the sanding belt 102in place.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool 100 further comprises a high-densityfoam cushion or a memory foam 108 glued to another side of the machinedsanding block 104 for expansion. In one embodiment, the machined sandingblock 104 along with the foam cushion 108 is inserted into the sandingbelt 102. In one embodiment, the foam cushion 108 allows different minorbelt measurements. In one embodiment, the foam cushion 108 expands tomaintain tightness of the sanding belt 102 tightness.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool 100 is a two-part sanding block thatuses a wedge principle for making the sanding belt 102 to stay in place.In one embodiment, the wedging principle keeps the sanding belt 102snugs for a full flat sanding surface to work with any surfaces. In oneembodiment, the sanding tool 100 is utilized for cleaning saw cuts(rough or finished), ease edges, flat plane sanding, contour sanding,reach sanding for hard-to-get spots. In some embodiments, the sandingtool 100 is utilized for sanding of wood, plastics, plasters, drywall,masonry steel, marine, sculpture, auto bodywork, and glass work.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6 , the sanding tool 100 with a slightly moveddetachable wedge-shaped part 106, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, the sanding belt 102 is a standard3″×21″ sanding belt. In one embodiment, the sanding belt 102 is asandpaper belt originally made for power sanders. In one embodiment, themachined sanding block 104 and wedge-shaped part 106 are disposed insidethe sanding belt 102. In one embodiment, a high-density foam cushion ora memory foam 108 is glued to any one side of the machined sanding block104 opposite to the another side aligned with the wedge-shaped part 106.In one embodiment, the machined sanding block 104 and the wedge-shapedpart 106 further includes a marking 114 on any one side for indicatingthe top surface. In one embodiment, the marking may be “T” label. Themarking “T's” are used for facing up the machined sanding block 104 andthe wedge-shaped part 106 when at work. In one embodiment, the “T” labelin the movable wedge-shaped part 106 is aligned with the “T” label inthe sanding block 104. In one embodiment, the small wedge-shaped part106 pops out by pressing the other side of the “T” label.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10 , aligning or positioning the components of thesanding tool 100, according to one embodiment of the present invention.In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part 106 includes a rounded-side 116and a flat surface 118. In one embodiment, the rounded-side 116 isplaced facing outward and the flat surface 118 is aligned with themachined block 104. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part 106 isplaced with facing the “T” marking 114 upwards. In one embodiment, thewedge-shaped part 106 is a pop-out structure for easy change of sandingbelts 102. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part 106 slides insidethe sanding belt 102 against the machined sanding block 104 to tightenthe sanding belt 102 in place.

In one embodiment, the one or more components of the sanding tool 100are aligned or positioned inside the sanding belt 102. At one step, anopen side of the sanding belt 102 is placed upon a flat surface. In oneembodiment, the sanding belt 102 is a standard 3″×21″ sanding belt. Atanother step, the large part, i.e., the machined sanding block 104 isinserted into the open side of the sanding belt 102 with “T” marking 114facing up. In one embodiment, the “T” marking 114 indicates for the topfacing of the machined sanding block 104. At another step, the smallwedge-shaped part 106 is inserted into the open side of the sanding belt102 with “T” marking 114 facing up such that the rounded-side 116 outfacing the end of the sanding belt 102 and the flat surface aligned withthe machined sanding block 104 of the sanding tool 100 i.e., “T” to “T”.In case of removing the small wedge-shaped part 106, the sanding tool100 is placed on a flat surface with the “T's” 114 facing down and thesmall wedge-shaped part 106 hanging beyond the edge of the flat surface.Then take a small wood drift and hammer and tap out the smallwedge-shaped part 106. In one embodiment for a smooth wedge in and outoperation, bar soap is rubbed on inner wedge surfaces and on rounded endsurfaces.

Referring to FIG. 11 , exemplarily illustrates the sanding tool 100sands an object 112 in a typical use case, according to one embodimentof the preset invention. In one embodiment, the machined sanding block104 and the wedge-shaped part 106 includes a marking 114 on any one sidefor indicating the top surface. In one embodiment, the marking may be“T” label for facing up the machined sanding block 104 and thewedge-shaped part 106 when at work. The moved wedge_wedge-shaped part106 is aligned to the machined sanding block 104 by pressing on the “T”label. The sanding tool 100 polishes flat or curved surface of theobject 112. The sanding tool 100 provides a single smooth surface foreven flat sanding as well as rounded end for curved surfaces.

Advantageously, the sanding tool of the present invention is a simpletool for sanding various objects without using any mechanical parts orsprings. The wedge-shaped part of the sanding tool tightens the sandingbelt in place. The wedge-shaped part keeps the sanding belt in place toavoid any slippage or movement of the sanding belt for more evensanding. Further, the wedge-shaped part is a pop-out wedge-shaped partthat allows for easy change of belt. The sanding tool available in theshop or out in the field is the durable block sander of choice. Thesanding tool provides a flat even surface without any dips. Further, thesanding tool has a single smoothing surface for even sanding as well asrounded end sanding for curved surfaces. Also, the sanding belt is easyto change.

The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art thatthe within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various otheralternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within thescope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps ofa method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on theorder of the steps of that method.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions.Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only ingeneric and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specificembodiments illustrated herein. While the above is a completedescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention, variousalternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used. Therefore, theabove description and the examples should not be taken as limiting thescope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

1. A hand-held sanding tool for sanding objects, comprising: a firstsanding member or machined sanding block and a second sanding member ora wedge-shaped part aligned to any one of the machined sanding blocks,and a sanding belt configured to form a wrap around the machined blockand the wedge-shaped part, wherein the wedge-shaped part includes arounded-side placed facing outward and a flat surface aligned to any oneside of the machined sanding block, wherein the wedge-shaped parttightens the sanding belt, thereby allowing the sanding belt for sandingof flat as well as rounded end for curved surfaces.
 2. The sanding toolof claim 1, further comprises a high-density foam cushion or a memoryfoam glued to another side of the machined sanding block for expansion.3. The sanding tool of claim 2, wherein the foam cushion expands tomaintain tightness.
 4. The sanding tool of claim 2, wherein the foamcushion allows different minor belt measurements.
 5. The sanding tool ofclaim 1, wherein the wedge-shaped part is a pop-out wedge that allows tochange the belt easily.
 6. The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein thewedge-shaped part tightens the sanding belt to be in place to avoid anyslippage or movement of the sanding belt.
 7. The sanding tool of claim1, wherein the wedge-shaped part keeps the sanding belt snug for fullflat sanding surface to work with any surfaces.
 8. The sanding tool ofclaim 1, wherein the sanding belt is an abrasive material wrapped aroundthe machined sanding block and wedge-shaped part.
 9. The sanding tool ofclaim 1, wherein the sanding belt is a sandpaper belt made for powersanders.
 10. The sanding tool of claim 1, further includes a marking onany one end of the machined block and the wedge-shaped part forindicating an upper end or top end, thereby aligning them inline. 11.The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein the machined sanding block hasfinger grips for easy handling.
 12. The sanding tool of claim 1, isutilized for cleaning saw cuts, ease edges, flat plane sanding, contoursanding, reach sanding for hard-to-get spots, and others.
 13. Thesanding tool of claim 1, is utilized for sanding of wood, plastic,plaster, drywall, masonry, steel, marine, sculpture, auto body work, andglass work.